Why do docs wait to give the epidural?

[LaurenC86]

I plan on asking my doc this as well, but just curious to see if any of you lady's know the answer. When I had my first I had to wait until I was dilated enough (can't remember exactly how much) before I could have my epidural, and I know I'll have to wait this time as well. So I'm curious as to Why they have to wait to give it to us? Is it bc it will slow down the process? Never thought to ask back then, but I remember that waiting until they gave the okay for it felt like an eternity. Lol

[chanieb]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's never heard of air and gas. And I don't think I would consider it even if it was available. I like the fact that the epidural numbs the pain but at the same time u can still concentrate and focus throughout the whole Labour.  

[diachong]

The epidural slows down labor and wears off quickly.

[LaurenC86]

That's for all the responses ladies. Definitely makes more sense to me now. And I've never heard of gas and air either, Sounds interesting.

[cef1990]

Gas and air is a different form of pain relief, you breathe it in through a tube you hold while you have a contraction, makes you feel slightly light headed. Have your midwife talk you though the different forms of pain relief available to you and what they do chanieb.

[chanieb]

What's gas and air? Like putting u to sleep? What country do they do that in? Because I don't even think they put u to sleep when u get a c section.

[pinkhats]

You talking  about  epidurals. I am pregnant  with my third  child. I had gas and air with my first. With the second  one  i thought  epidural  becoz labour was just  too long. But what i realised was that it took me longer to get my 2nd baby out than the  first .  So this time i am hoping for gas and air.

[cef1990]

I completely agree with lurooney. If they give effective pain relief too early it may result in slowing contractions down or stopping them. After I had a epidural with my first I stopped dilating at 5 cm and had to be given a drip to increase my contractions.

[lurooney]

Most doctors want you to be in active labor and having regular contractions before they give the epidural,usually thats when your around 4/5cm dialated because the concern is the epidural will slow down contractions

[bubu29]

Ur all lucky..in my country dey dnt use epidural..I was induced wen I had my kids...so u can imagine d pain..im currently preg for my third child

[mychellefemme]

It will wear off later in the labor. Even with the controlled button. I had one at 3cms with my first and by 7cms it was gone. With my 2nd I had one at 8cms and the docs were refusing at that far gone. After 5hrs of strong contractions I knew I was dying. Guess they felt bad for me.

[b4b]

Wss^^

[ellivin]

They Make You Waig Because It Could Slow Down dilation of the cervix so most hospital make it a practice to not administer one before 4 cm unless your induced then you can get one at any point because your contractions are going to be wayyyy worse.

[LaurenC86]

I sure wish my hospital would give it to me any time I ask, Lol. Its interesting how every hospital is different.... as far as it wearing off, that seems odd to me bc I thought it was pumping the whole time, they actually told me that they were turning mine off since I was pushing so long (2 hours) and thought it would probably help me push if they turned it off, so that's why I thought it just continuously pumped the medicine, but I definitely could be wrong. Maybe hospitals do that differently as well? Idk. Lol

[awic3]

I was told that I could get it whenever I wanted it.

[CharliesMomma15]

They postpone it as long as possible to ensure that it doesn't wear off too soon.

[babymama36166]

I'm not sure of the answer but am curious to know. With my first they said I could have it when ever I was ready. I just had to ask. Maybe it's the doctor or hospital prefrence?

[Ash11210]

From what I noticed when my friend had her son, they didn't want to do it to early or it may wear off before she is actually ready to deliver